MACHINIST 141 CONNECTIONS

In this episode, we continue the conversation centered on the JetBlue organizing campaign and the potential impact of a union on the company.   Joined by International Representative Charlie Hines and BOS Inside organizer Richard Jarvis, Co-Host Lou Gilmore delves deeper into the reasons why ramp agents at JetBlue require a union and a clear, defined contract.  Guests: Charlie Hines, IAM Internati...

This week's episode takes a shift and connects with IAM Union's current organizing campaign going on at JetBlue.   Cohost Lou Gilmore has a heartfelt conversation with Andrew Garmeson and Jerrell Stephney from the JetBlue organizing campaign. Andrew is an 18-year veteran of American Airlines, having worked with the International Organizing department for the last two years. Jerrell is a...

This episode sheds light on the role and responsibilities of the office of the President of a Local.  Cohost Lou Gilmore takes an in-depth dive into the responsibility of a Local President, how they work hand in hand with the Recording Secretary and Secretary Treasurer.   Special Guest Tim Nestler, who is the current President of Local 368 in Miami, Florida, joins us to shed light on this critical...

This episode is the first installment of a series that provides our members with insight into the various officers that comprise a Local Executive Board.   We had the pleasure of chatting with Local 1725 Recording Secretary (RS), Josh Stone from Charlotte, NC.  Brother Stone provided us with insight into the duties of the RS and the pivotal support they offer to the local.   Guests: Josh Stone, Lo...

In this episode, we examine the methods and tactics employed by labor unions in negotiations.  Our guest, Faysal Silwany, Vice President East for United Airlines and a member of the current negotiations committee for United, provides insight into the process of how IAM Union District 141 negotiates a contract, from the survey season to the ratification vote.   Guests: Faysal Silwany, VP East Unite...

With this episode, we are back at that time of year for the Adolf Stutz Memorial Scholarship.  Cohost Lou Gilmore sits down with Frank Caciato from BCI Communications to discuss the profound impact that this Scholarship Essay Contest has on the lives of our fellow members and their families.    The Scholarship is open, and the deadline to submit is midnight on July 15, 2025. For more information a...

This starts a new weekly segment called "Machinist Monday Motivation".   Each Monday, we will have a short moment of motivation to start our week with positive energy to set the tone for a successful week focused on an attitude of gratitude.   This week's motivation focuses on silencing the background noise of the aviation industry as of late and developing a daily practice to unplu...

This is an audio recording of the United Negotiations Update that the Negotiations Committee put out in print on Jan 14th, 2025. Credits: Voiced by: Lou Gilmore Producers: Brian Vega, Sound Engineer, Lou Gilmore, tech support, and editing. Ann Clifford, Crosscheck. Funding from Alex Gerulis and Oversight by Mike Klemm.  Machinists Connections is a product of District 141 of the International Assoc...

This week's episode finds Brian and Lou having the pleasure of talking with District 141 MNPL Director Dave Roderick.   Dave, Brian, and Lou dive into the Machinist Nonpartisan Political League (MNPL) and how it helps IAM members support labor-friendly candidates in the political arena.  This conversation is built around education on how the IAM chooses the candidates we endorse.    Credits:...

This episode finds Lou Gilmore candidly conversing with AGC Mark Baskett from American Airlines.  Mark goes over the details of the recent economic  2-year extension.  This two-year extension comes ahead as an option to extend the current contract that our Association members have with American Airlines while bringing them up to the industry-leading in wages and retirement contributions.  This epi...

In this episode, Brian and Lou have a candid conversation around the topic of suicide and mental health.  With September being the national suicide awareness month, we reached out to two exceptional guests from our District 141 EAP team to help facilitate this vital conversation.  Brother Chris Davis is our District141  EAP Chairman for American Airlines, and Sister Noelle Sakamoto is one of our R...

Cohosts Brian Vega and Lou Gilmore have the opportunity to sit and talk about the various roles a local lodge communicator plays on behalf of the union. They discuss the skills that a good communicator should develop and how they aid in tailoring our messaging to our diverse membership.  As an established photographer, Brian gives some pointers on taking cell phone photography to the next level an...

This week's episode is yet another nod to the importance of safety for our fellow members.  Cohost Lou Gilmore sat down with the District 141 Safety Coordinator for United Brother Leroy Taylor, highlighting the hot ticket items of seatbelt usage around the system, the GSAP program, and the importance of mentorship of our young machinists.   Credits: Guest: Robert Taylor, District 141 Safety C...

This week's episode takes another deep dive into our District 141 Employee Assistance Program.  Cohost Lou Gilmore sits down to talk with our Director of EAP, Brother Bryan Hutchinson, about the state of mental health crisis impacting all over the US.  Bryan gives significant insight into the different services that our EAP can provide to our members and their families.  This heartfelt episod...

This Episode features Local 1725 Safety Chairman Fred Butts.  Co-host Lou Gilmore sits down to have an impactful conversation on the GSAP program and to remind our fellow members to stay hydrated during these peak summer operations.   Credits: Guest: Fred Butts, Safety Chairman LL 1725 Charlotte, NC. Producers: Brian Vega, Sound Engineer, Lou Gilmore, tech support, and editing. Ann Clifford, Cross...

This week's Episode finds the band back together as the District 141 Media team was able to record together.  Eric, Brian, and Lou were able to catch up on the many things happening around the system.  Our special Guest, United Committee Person Maria Tusa,  from LL2198 in Houston, joined in to provide crucial insights on the current storm conditions affecting our members in Texas.   Her valua...

This week's episode will help us start Mental Health Awareness Month early.  We enjoyed sitting down with Sister Kendall Tuckett from our District 141 EAP Team.  Kendall is the West Region EAP Representative with American Airlines.  She discusses her role as a regional rep and what it means to help our members navigate things for which the contract doesn't always have solutions.  This ep...

This episode gets us back into the seat with a focus on safety. Cohost Lou Gilmore is joined by special guest Dennis Spencer, the District 141 Director of Safety for American Airlines Fleet Service. Lou catches up with Dennis and his team while conducting their inaugural Safety Summit for AA members, held at LL1725 In Charlotte, NC. Dennis, who assumed the role of Director after Brother Tony D&apo...

This Episode was recorded while at the Committee Conference 2023 and featured a legendary guest.  Cohost Lou Gilmore is joined by the Director of Membership Services, Brother Frank Giannola.  Frank has much experience in various capacities and specializes in organizing and membership mobility.  Frank and Lou discuss the importance of organizing and how transportation sector employees have to organ...

141 Machinist Connections is back in its second season with another fun and lighthearted episode.  Cohost Lou Gilmore sits with Brother Nolan Arnold from LL1725 in Charlotte, NC. Nolan is an eight-year fleet service agent with American Airlines and is undoubtedly one of the many rising stars we have in District Lodge 141.  Lou and Nolan unpack many topics, including the young machinist's move...

On this episode of the Machinists District 141 Connections, we're joined by Frank Casciato and Dan Brin from Bleiweiss Communications to discuss the Adolf Stuz Memorial Scholarship Essay Contest with District Lodge 141. This scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their writing skills and earn financial support for their education. Frank and Dan share valuable insights...

In this episode of “Connections,” hosts Lou Gilmore, Eric Price, and Brian Vega explore the Machinist Union with special guest Derrick Monk, a District Lodge 141 Trustee, Grievance Committeeman, and Pastor. They discuss the union’s history, challenges, and strategies to protect workers’ interests. Derrick also shares his journey as a Pastor and his non-profit organization’s initiatives to empower...

This week's episode finds Lou Gilmore again at The William Winpinsinger Center for Education and Technology.  As a train-the-trainer class student, the students were assigned a project to give a 20-minute presentation.  Lou decided to skip the traditional PowerPoint style and record an episode on the importance of the Duty of Fair Representation.  Having LL 1781 President Tony Parker and DL14...

This week's episode is about the excitement around the new tentative (TA) agreement for our members at United Airlines. Cohost Lou Gilmore had the opportunity to talk with non-other than Brother Faysal Silwany, who is on the ramp committee In EWR and on the current negotiating team for United.  Details of the new language proposals and the nuances of this extension were discussed, as well as...

In this week's episode, cohost Lou Gilmore has the opportunity to interview his local Lodge President, Helena Thornton.  This episode is very near and dear to Lou Gilmore as some of his journeys within the IAM and District 141 are revealed.  Conversations about Helena's history of involvement within the IAM and becoming the first woman president of Local Lodge 1725 of Charlotte, NC.  Pre...